Karim A. Shafi, MD

Karim A. Shafi, MD

Karim A. Shafi, MD

Orthopedic Surgery, Spine Surgery
Accepting New Patients
No Video Visits Available
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  • FAQ

About Dr. Karim A. Shafi

"My focus is on enhancing each patient’s quality of life, whether that be through operative or non-operative treatment. In addition, I remain dedicated to improving the field of spine surgery through education and research.”

Dr. Karim Shafi was raised in Newark, DE and went on to study the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the Division 1 Wrestling Team. He obtained his medical degree at Thomas Jefferson University, where he graduated Magna cum Laude and was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor Society. He then completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the world-renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, annually recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as the #1 hospital for orthopedic surgery.


Dr. Shafi then completed a prestigious combined orthopaedic surgery/neurosurgery fellowship at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. During this time, he covered one of the nation’s busiest spine centers and served as an assistant clinical instructor to residents and medical students. Dr. Shafi also remains dedicated to education and research, with extensive peer-reviewed scientific articles, book chapters, lectures, podium presentations, and poster presentations during his career.

Dr. Karim A. Shafi has an academic appointment. Learn more about their research interests.

Clinical Interests

 

 

  • Adolescent and adult scoliosis (including idiopathic and degenerative)
  • Arthritis of the spine
  • Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders
  • Degenerative spinal conditions (including spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis)
  • Disc herniation
  • Kyphosis
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery
  • Motion preservation techniques
  • Myelopathy
  • Radiculopathy
  • Revision spine surgery
  • Spinal fractures or trauma
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spine tumors

Accepted Insurance Plans

  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIALS FROM UHC EP-1 (PPO) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC EP-3 (PPO) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC EP-2 (PPO) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CareFlex FROM UHC TX-44 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CareFlex FROM UHC TX-45 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIAL FROM UHC TX-21 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ESSENTIAL FROM UHC TX-22 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC TX-27 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE EXTRA FROM UHC TX-28 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-35 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-38(HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-39 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-40 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-41 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) AARP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-47 (HMO-POS) **
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-005
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-013
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-014
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-021
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-025
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-31 (PPO)** H1278-026
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-32 (PPO)** H1278-022
  • (WELLMED) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GIVEBACK FROM UHC TX-34 (PPO)** H1278-024
  • (WELLMED) SECURE HORIZON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0023 (HMO-POS)**
  • (WELLMED) SECURE HORIZON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0025 (HMO-POS)**
  • Aetna Affordable Health Choices
  • Aetna APCN Plus Multi-Tier HM Tier 2
  • Aetna Choice POS / Open Choice
  • Aetna Common Spirit Minimum Value Plan
  • Aetna CommonSpirit Health KelseyCare
  • Aetna EPO
  • Aetna Health Network
  • Aetna HMO
  • Aetna International
  • Aetna Managed Choice / Elect Choice
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO
  • Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO
  • Aetna Medicare Dual Complete Plan (HMO D-SNP)
  • Aetna Medicare HMO Prime
  • Aetna Meritain Hlth/Aetna Premier Care (APCN)
  • Aetna Open Access
  • Aetna POS
  • Aetna PPO
  • Aetna Premier Care Network
  • Aetna QPOS
  • Aetna Select
  • Aetna Signature Administrators
  • Aetna Signature Administrators Allied Benefits
  • Aetna Signature Administrators CoreSource
  • Aetna Signature Administrators EBMS
  • Aetna Signature Administrators MODA
  • Aetna Student Health
  • Aetna Transplant
  • Aetna TX Pref Plus II Network
  • Aetna Workers' Comp
  • All Saver/United Healthcare
  • BCBS PPO GUIDESTONE
  • BCBS PPO Wespath
  • Best Doctors International
  • Bind Surest UHC
  • Blue Choice POS
  • Blue Choice PPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield EPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Federal Employee Plan
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Out of State
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO/UT Care
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield POS
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
  • Blue Edge
  • Blue Essentials
  • Blue Essentials Access
  • Cigna Allegiance Houston Methodist Employee Medical Plan
  • Cigna Allegiance OAP
  • Cigna Allegiance PPO
  • Cigna APWU
  • Cigna C-24 Network
  • Cigna Choice Fund
  • Cigna EPO
  • Cigna Global Health Benefits (International)
  • Cigna Great West
  • Cigna HMO
  • Cigna Indemnity
  • Cigna LocalPlus
  • Cigna NALC
  • Cigna Network
  • Cigna Network Open Access
  • Cigna Open Access
  • Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP)
  • Cigna POS
  • Cigna PPO
  • Cigna Qualcare
  • Cigna Shared Administration OAP
  • Cigna Shared Administration PPO
  • Cigna SureFit
  • Community Health Choice Medicare Advantage HMO DSNP
  • Community Health Choice PREMIER Gold
  • Community Health Choice PREMIER Silver
  • Coventry PPO
  • DEVOTED CORE 001 TX (HMO)
  • DEVOTED CORE 019 TX (HMO)
  • DEVOTED C-SNP Plus 031 TX (HMO C-SNP)
  • DEVOTED C-SNP Premium 030 TX (HMO C-SNP)
  • DEVOTED DUAL 010 TX (HMO D-SNP)
  • DEVOTED DUAL FULL 040 (HMO D-SNP)
  • DEVOTED GIVEBACK 006 TX (HMO)
  • DEVOTED HEALTH DUAL PLUS GREATER HOUSTON
  • DEVOTED PREMIUM 002 (HMO)
  • Entrust/90 Degree EDI Payer ID# 36878
  • First Health PPO
  • GeoBlue
  • HAA Preferred Partners (International)
  • HealthSmart Accel PPO
  • HealthSmart Payors Organization
  • HealthSmart PPO
  • Healthspring/Cigna MCR HMO
  • Healthspring/Cigna MCR PPO
  • Healthspring/Cigna MCR Total Care Dual
  • HMO Blue
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Plus/Choice
  • Humana Medicare Advantage HMO
  • Humana Medicare Advantage PPO
  • Kelsey Seybold Affiliate Network
  • Medica Choice with UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus
  • Medicare
  • Molina Marketplace Exchange
  • Molina Medicare Complete Care HMO (Dual) HIDE
  • Molina Medicare Complete Care Plus (HMO Dual-SNP) FIDE
  • MultiPlan PPO
  • Occunet
  • Olympus Managed Care (International)
  • PHCS Healthy Directions
  • PHCS MEDI-SHARE
  • PHCS PPO
  • PHCS/Multiplan Practitioner & Ancillary Only
  • ProCare Medicare Advantage
  • Sana Benefits
  • Student Assurance Services Student Accident Plan
  • Texas Kids First /Fidelity Security Student Accident Plan
  • Texas Monarch/Web TPA Student Accident Plan
  • Three Rivers Provider Network
  • TRS-ActiveCare 2 Group 385002
  • TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-South Texas Region Group 295430
  • TRS-ActiveCare Fully Insured Plan-West Texas Region Group 295781
  • TRS-ActiveCare HD Group 385000
  • TRS-ActiveCare Primary Group 385003
  • TRS-ActiveCare Primary Plus Group 385001
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT A I Group 485002
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT A II Group 485003
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT B I Group 485005
  • TRS-Care Standard ALT B II Group 485006
  • TRS-Care Standard CMED Group 485001
  • TRS-Care Standard Group 485000
  • TX Annual Conf of UMC-UMR
  • UHC COMPLETE CARE SUPPORT TX-1A (REGIONAL PPO C-SNP)** R6801-008
  • UHC Complete Care TX-16 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-039
  • UHC Complete Care TX-17 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-040
  • UHC Complete Care TX-18 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-041
  • UHC Complete Care TX-19 (HMO-POS C-SNP)** H4527-042
  • UHC COMPLETE CARE TX-29 (REGIONAL PPO C-SNP)** R6801-009
  • UHC DUAL COMPLETE TX-S001 (REGIONAL PPO D-SNP)** R6801-011
  • UHC GR MA HALLIBURTON HMO 137 ** H0609-822-137
  • UHC GR MA LOCKHEED HMO 164 ** H0609-822-164
  • UHC GR MA RIO TINTO SERVICE
  • UHC GR MA TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM HMO 199** H0609-822-207
  • UHC GR MA VERIZON HMO 207** H0609-822-207
  • UHC MEDICARE ADVANTAGE TX-0030 (REGIONAL PPO)** R6801-012
  • UMR
  • United Health Integrated Services
  • United HealthCare Community Plan Dual Complete (HMO SNP)
  • United Healthcare Nexus ACO RA or OA
  • United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley
  • UnitedHealthcare Choice
  • UnitedHealthcare ChoicePlus
  • UnitedHealthcare Core
  • UnitedHealthcare Core Plus
  • UnitedHealthcare EPO
  • UnitedHealthcare Golden Rule
  • UnitedHealthcare HMO
  • UnitedHealthcare Navigate
  • UnitedHealthcare Navigate Plus
  • UnitedHealthcare Options PPO
  • UnitedHealthcare Oxford
  • UnitedHealthcare POS
  • UnitedHealthcare PPO
  • UnitedHealthcare Student Resources
  • UnitedHealthcare West
  • UnitedHealthOne
  • US Family Health Plan
  • WellMed AARP Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • WellMed AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 1 & Plan 2
  • WellMed Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
  • WellMed Medicare Advantage Patriot
  • WellMed UHC Dual Complete HMO D-SNP
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Dual Complete Choice (Regional PPO D-SNP)
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Advantage Choice (Regional PPO)
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Gold (Regional PPO C-SNP)
  • WellMed UnitedHealthCare Medicare Silver (Regional PPO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Chronic Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Dual Advantage 2 (HMO D-SNP)
  • WELLPOINT ESSENTIALS MARKETPLACE
  • Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage (HMO D-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Full Dual Advantage 2 (HMO D-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Home Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Kidney Care (HMO-POS C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Lung Care (HMO C-SNP)
  • Wellpoint Medicare Advantage 2 (HMO)
  • Wellpoint Select (HMO)
Insurance plans may change. Please verify your plan is accepted when scheduling an appointment.

Credentials

Fellowship
  • Spine Surgery | Cedars Sinai Spine Center, Los Angeles, California | 2025
Residency
  • Orthopedic Surgery | Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York | 2023
Doctor of Medicine
  • Medicine | Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 2018
Undergraduate
  • The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 2013
Affiliated Hospitals
  • Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital
  • Houston Methodist Hospital
Center Memberships
  • Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Academic Appointments
  • Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Academic Institute
  • Member, Research Institute, Academic Institute
  • Houston Methodist
  • Weill Cornell Medical College

Languages

  • English
  • German
  • Spanish
Languages listed are spoken by doctor and/or office staff.

Office Locations

Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
6445 Main Street Outpatient Center Suite 2500 Houston, TX 77030 Get Directions
713.441.9000
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
1677 West Baker Road Suite 1701 Baytown, TX 77521 Get Directions
281.427.7400
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
9090 Katy Freeway Suite 200 Houston, TX 77024 Get Directions
713.441.9000
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
8520 Broadway Street Comprehensive Care Center Suite 100 Pearland, TX 77584 Get Directions
713.441.9000

FAQ

Is Dr. Karim A. Shafi accepting new patients?
Yes, Dr. Karim A. Shafi is accepting new patients. You can view Dr. Karim A. Shafi's next available appointment and schedule online.
What insurance does Dr. Karim A. Shafi accept?
See all insurance plans that Dr. Karim A. Shafi accepts.
What practice does Dr. Karim A. Shafi work at?
Dr. Karim A. Shafi works at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
Where is Dr. Karim A. Shafi office located?
How do patients rate Dr. Karim A. Shafi in reviews?
510 patients have reviewed Dr. Karim A. Shafi. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.7/5. You can read individual reviews and ratings on Dr. Karim A. Shafi's profile.
What languages does Dr. Karim A. Shafi speak?
Dr. Karim A. Shafi, or the office, speaks English, German, Spanish.
What are Dr. Karim A. Shafi's specialties?
Dr. Karim A. Shafi is a specialist in Orthopedic Surgery, Spine Surgery.

Patient Ratings & Comments

What is a Patient Rating score?
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on our independently administered Patient Satisfaction Survey.
How are responses measured?
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score.
4.7 out of 5
(510 Ratings, 81 Comments)
  • 4.8
    Provider discussed treatment options
  • 4.8
    Provider showed concern
  • 4.8
    Provider explained things clearly
  • 4.7
    Provider included you in decisions
  • 4.7
    Likelihood of recommending this provider
Comments also are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
  • Sep 22, 2026
    I've recommended Dr. Shafi to several people.
  • Aug 25, 2026
    In hindsight, I might have asked a couple of questions, but I felt all communication was clear.
  • Aug 25, 2026
    I would recommend Dr. Shafi to all my friends and family and anybody else that ask my opinion. He is very kind and understanding and listen to everything you have to say about what your problems are. Takes thetime to explain in detail what is wrong and what needs to be done to fix it.
  • Aug 21, 2026
    Dr. Shafi is excellent it is obvious he is dedicated and very knowledgeable
  • Aug 7, 2026
    He explained my condition gave me options for treatment for a difficult situation. No surgery until I have no other options.
  • Jul 8, 2026
    No complaints
  • Jul 3, 2026
    I had a very good experience starting with the nurse and then the Doctor, both were excellent at listening to my conserns and gave me good answers